A Look Back at the... Pioneer-Tribune Archives

50 Years Ago September 5, 1963

• Elementary enrollment in Manistique’s three grade schools totaled 435 students Wednesday-a drop from last year’s figure of 491 registering on the first day. Two years ago the total was 499. Lincoln School had the largest total, with 242 registering, compared to 249 last year. However, Miss Evelyn Berwin, Lincoln principal, said she expects at least 20 more students to register later. Lakeside School reported 111 enrolling, compared to 119 last year, while Central totaled 82, a drop from last year’s total of 122. Seventh grade enrollment was 69, compared to 78 last year, while 9th grade figure was 169, down five students from last year. Students from the 10th, 11th and 12th grades will register today.

• The bread and butter bandit has struck again! A bag of groceries, a pillow case and a laundry bag were taken from a parked car in the downtown district last Friday night, Public Safety officers reported. The car, owned by Merle VanHorn of Manistique, was parked between McNamara’s gift shop and the Kiddie Shop. The thief has also taken groceries from parked cars downtown on several other occasions this summer.

• A 12-year-old Germfask youth was injured Thursday evening when he was hit in the stomach by a flying cartridge case that had been struck by a bullet during his target practice. The Herbert Burton, Jr. son of Mr. and Mrs. Herbert Burton, Sr., was treated at Schoolcraft Memorial Hospital for the injury. State Police said the boy was target practicing behind his home, shooting at the cartridge case four feet away, when the bullet hit the case and sent it flying. The accident occurred about 6:30 p.m. but the youth at first did not tell his parents. He decided later that he better have it taken care of, and was taken to the hospital. State Police said his condition was not serious.

• Denton Nelson won the championship of the Indian Lake Golf and Country Club Monday, by defeating Dan Malloy one up in the finals played in a pouring rain. Mrs. Kate LeBrasseur repeated as woman’s champion as she defeated Alice Modders in the championship flight, five and four.

35 Years Ago September 7, 1978

• A group of Germfask area residents say they are preparing to take the necessary steps to seek the deconsolidation of that area from the Manistique Area Schools District. The group which has held two meetings on the proposal, voted 70-7 Tuesday night to submit an “opinion poll” signed by 260 registered voters to the school board at a special millage forum at Germfask School Wednesday. The poll asks that the board hold a special election in which the deconsolidation proposal would be decided by majority vote of district residents.

• For the second time in the past year the City of Manistique is attempting to sell Triangle Park, the small piece of land directly across from the Post Office on Cedar Street. The city will open bids for the property this afternoon at City Hall. An attempt to sell the property last year was halted when it was learned that a 47-year-old deed restriction prohibited its use for anything other than a park. City officials said Tuesday they have one bid already submitted and that other parties have shown an interest in acquiring the property. The park sits in a potentially valuable spot, since the relocation of U.S. 2 is presently designed to pass directly to the south.

• The Schoolcraft County 4-H Horse Council held the last of three 1978 summer horse shows at the Pines Park on Sunday. There were a total of 55 horses entered in 15 events. Riders were from Brampton, Wells, Bark River, Rapid River, Gladstone, Escanaba, Ishpeming, Newberry, Germfask, Gulliver, as well as from Manistique.

20 Years Ago September 9, 1993

• According to area businesses and state park officials, tourism has increased this summer season over last year. For most area businesses, July and August were extremely good months. James Hooker, the park manager for several area state parks, including Indian Lake, Palms Book and Fayette, said they have also had a good year.

• Two routine traffic stops led Michigan State Police troopers to two separate drug arrests. A total of four people were arrested. Troopers from the Manistique State Police Post arrested a male and female subject for possession of methcathinone (CAT) and possession of marijuana as a result of a routine traffic stop on US-2 near the Mackinac and Schoolcraft County line. The second incident occurred at 1:30 p.m. on Monday, according to state police. Another man and woman were found in possession of six bags of marijuana. The state police said the vehicle was stopped for speeding and after the vehicle was inspected, the marijuana was found. The driver of the vehicle also had a suspended license.

• The Nahma Old-Timers beat the Garden Old-Timers on the softball field, but all remained friends when the last out was called. The game was part of the Nahma Labor Day Celebration.

10 Years Ago September 11, 2003

• It was a busy summer for Schoolcraft County Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Alice Burkholder and Manistique Merchants Association President Michele Earle-Bridges, who welcomed a number of new businesses to the community. As always, the Chamber greeted new enterprises with a “First Dollar Plaque,” while the MMA presented flowers, balloons and a complimentary one-year membership in their group. Among those welcomed were Jessie Schnurer of Jessie’s Sunrise Restaurant, Rick and Sue Massengill of Lofy’s Harbor Bar, Doris Brummel of Kids and More; and Ann and Ryan Johnson of Gramma Emma’s Bakery.